Thinking With Mitch Joel – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to episode #1010 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

What if the search for our "true selves" has been leading us away from who we actually need to become? That's the tension at the heart of Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic's work, a globally respected authority on people analytics, talent, leadership, and the Human–AI interface whose career spans ManpowerGroup, Deeper Signals, Meta Profiling, Columbia University, UCL, and decades of research that have shaped how organizations understand human behavior. His latest book, Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (And What To Do Instead), challenges one of the most cherished modern beliefs - that success comes from projecting our raw, unfiltered selves - and instead argues that adaptability, reputational awareness, and a more evidence-based approach to identity lead to better outcomes for individuals, teams, and societies. He is also the author of Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?, I, Human, The Talent Delusion, and many others. In this conversation, we unpack how hyper-normalized ideas take root, why celebrity culture distorts our sense of what authenticity looks like, and how social media has gamified identity into a curated performance that misleads both the performer and the audience. He explains why leaders must balance sincerity with impression management, how hybrid work and return-to-office debates reveal deeper anxieties about trust and presence, and why intellectual curiosity may be the antidote to polarization in an era where algorithms reward tribalism. The discussion also explores the limits of self-perception, the psychology of reputation, the dangers of treating outliers as role models, and the pivotal role AI may play in counteracting human bias. Ultimately, Tomas argues that authenticity without responsibility collapses into narcissism, and that a more thoughtful, flexible, and socially attuned version of ourselves is not only possible, but necessary. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 1:06:25.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• Here is my conversation with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.
• Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (And What To Do Instead.
• Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?.
• I, Human.
• The Talent Delusion.
• Tomas' other books.
• Follow Tomas on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.
(03:11) - The Concept of 'Don't Be Yourself'.
(06:00) - Hyper Normalization and Management Ideas.
(08:48) - The Role of Celebrity and Authenticity.
(12:04) - Polarization and Tribalism in Society.
(15:11) - The Evolution of Human Interaction.
(17:58) - The Impact of AI on Decision Making.
(20:49) - Navigating Individualism and Identity.
(23:52) - The Dichotomy of Authenticity in Leadership.
(26:56) - The Reality of Career Paths and Entrepreneurship.
(30:06) - Return to Office and Hybrid Work Dynamics.
(33:49) - The Value of 3D Encounters in Recruitment.
(36:40) - Authenticity and Skilled Self-Presentation.
(39:02) - Collaboration and Trust in Professional Settings.
(42:26) - Authenticity vs. Reputation: A Complex Relationship.
(48:09) - The Subjectivity of Authenticity.
(54:17) - Projecting Positivity in a Negative World.
(01:00:10) - Social Media's Impact on Identity and Authenticity.

Welcome to episode #1009 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

The future isn't something to predict... it's something to practice. Few people embody that idea more completely than Nick Foster, a designer, futurist and author whose work has quietly influenced some of the most innovative companies on the planet - from Sony, Nokia, and Dyson to Google X, where he served as head of design. In his new book, Could Should Might Don't - How We Think About The Future, Nick challenges the way we imagine what comes next. Rather than offering forecasts, he explores four mindsets - could, should, might, and don't - that shape how individuals and organizations approach uncertainty. In this conversation, Nick reflects on his evolution from industrial design to futures thinking, examining how curiosity fuels creativity, why nostalgia shapes our forward gaze and how responsibility must now sit at the core of every design decision. He questions the seductive influence of science fiction on our collective imagination and unpacks the cultural anxieties that accompany rapid technological change. What emerges is not a roadmap to the future but a framework for thinking. One grounded in humility, storytelling and the courage to sit with what we don't yet know. For Nick, futures design is not about prediction... it's about perspective. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 1:01:27.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• Here is my conversation with Nick Foster.
• Could Should Might Don't - How We Think About The Future.
• Follow Nick on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to Futures Design.
(02:55) - Curiosity and Creativity in Design.
(06:01) - Exploring the Future: Challenges and Opportunities.
(08:58) - The Role of Responsibility in Design.
(12:01) - Cultural Shifts and the Future.
(14:59) - Navigating the Unknown: The Importance of Questions.
(17:49) - The Impact of Nostalgia on Future Thinking.
(20:46) - The Role of Science Fiction in Shaping Futures.
(24:05) - The Anxiety of Possibility: Handling the 'Might'.
(27:10) - The Importance of Humility in Future Predictions.
(29:46) - Embracing Uncertainty and Curiosity.

Welcome to episode #1000 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Patrick Tanguay is a self-described generalist, synthesist and curator whose lifelong curiosity and love of reading have led him across multiple careers, and now shape one of the most thoughtful newsletters in the futures-thinking space. As the creator of Sentiers, a weekly "futures thinking observatory" (and one of my most favorite reads), Patrick spotlights signals of change across technology, society, and culture. He helps readers trace emergent paths instead of prescribing them. Alongside his writing, he designed and launched Station C, one of the first co-working spaces, co-founded the print magazine, The Alpine Review, and seeded communities like Creative Mornings and some of the earlier community get-togethers for the digital enthusiasts. For episode #1000, Patrick guides us through how he curates global currents of change, explores how platform design, sense-making systems and personal knowledge management influence our capacity to understand the future, and why the skills of generalists matter now more than ever. He walks us through why Sentiers became such a respected newsletter and how its architecture reinforces and expands his handwritten trail of ideas. Across the show we consider how to build a personal "observatory," not just follow feed algorithms, how to connect seemingly disparate signals from AI to city futures, and why being able to notice what's happening before everyone else is becoming more crucial... and more rare. This is an episode for curious minds, digital gardeners and anyone searching for clarity amid chaos. I hope that you will also take a couple of moments to listen to my opening monologue about my reflections on the past 1000 episodes (nearly 20 years), and what the future will hold for this show starting next week. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 1:28:08.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on X.
• Here is my conversation with Patrick Tanguay.
• Sentiers.
• The Alpine Review.
• Follow Patrick on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - The Evolution of Six Pixels of Separation.
(04:14) - Introducing Patrick Tanguay.
(05:31) - The Art of Thinking and Curating.
(20:56) - Foresight and Future Thinking.
(29:54) - Navigating the World of AI.
(41:41) - The Role of Reading in Deep Thinking.
(01:00:08) - The Future of Knowledge Work.
(01:10:04) - The Intersection of AI and Human Purpose.

Welcome to episode #910 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #910. Ana Lorena Fabrega, an innovative force in the world of education, has made significant strides in reshaping how we perceive and engage with learning. With a background that spans multiple countries and diverse experiences, Ana's journey in education is as unique as it is inspiring. Growing up, Ana attended ten schools in seven countries, an experience that undoubtedly influenced her global perspective on education. Her foray into teaching was fueled by a firm belief in lifelong learning and the desire to nurture children's natural love for discovery. Yet, her time in the classroom led to a growing disillusionment with traditional educational models. Ana observed that conventional schooling methods often quash the inherent curiosity and joy of learning in children, prompting her to leave her teaching job in search of alternative approaches to education. Ana's disillusionment with the traditional education system is evident in her critique of its outdated ideologies. She argues that schools often restrict natural learning environments, hampering children's ability to explore their talents and think independently. Her book, The Learning Game, encapsulates these ideas, offering readers practical tools to redesign learning approaches that go beyond the conventional school system and prepare young minds for life's diverse challenges. In her quest to redefine learning, Ana emphasizes the power of story-driven education. She believes that humans are naturally inclined to learn through stories, which are more engaging and relatable than abstract concepts or formulas. This approach aligns with her view that education should be fun, captivating, and practical, providing learners with relatable role models and real-world applications. Today, Ana serves as the Chief Evangelist at Synthesis, an innovative online learning platform for curious and ambitious kids. Synthesis employs game-based learning strategies, scaling up ideas from Ad Astra, a school co-founded by Elon Musk. This role aligns perfectly with her passion for building learning alternatives that break traditional molds and foster genuine enthusiasm for learning. Ana's work, both as an author and an educator, is a testament to her commitment to transforming the educational landscape. Her approach to learning is refreshing and necessary in a world that increasingly values creativity, innovation, and adaptability. Along with that, she's also kind of a big deal on Instagram. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:10:15.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Ana Lorena Fabrega.
• The Learning Game.
• Synthesis.
• Follow Ana on Instagram.
• Follow Ana on YouTube.
• Follow Ana on LinkedIn.
• Follow Ana on X.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Welcome to episode #22 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. This is a big week with big content. I am debuting my new intro music (special thanks to Mick Kanfi - one of my business partners at Twist Image) and my very special guest is Life After The 30-Second Spot author, Blogger, Podcaster and good friend, Joseph Jaffe. This is the final conversation for our Road To Digital Marketing Conference 2006. The conference takes place this coming week - October 19th and 20th in Toronto, Ontario - please make sure to join us. Enjoy the conversation...

Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #22 - Host: Mitch Joel.

- Running time: 58:24.
- New intro music courtesy of Twist Image - special thanks to Mick Kanfi for writing, producing and starring in it.
- New audio comment line - please take note: +1 206-666-6056.
- Six Points Of Separation will be on next week - send in your ideas by calling the audio comment line.
- No Podsafe music this week.
- Four new audio comments came in and will also be held until next week's episode.
- Canadian Marketing Association - Digital Marketing Conference.
- October 19th and 20th in Toronto.
- The Road To Digital Marketing Conference - in conversation with Joseph Jaffe.
- Jaffe Juice.
- Across The Sound.
- Life After The 30-Second Spot.
- Enjoy the interview with Jaffe - it lasts around fifty minutes.

Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: +1 206-666-6056.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #22 - Host: Mitch Joel.

Welcome to episode #21 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. I am once again flying solo this week. There is an all-new Six Points Of Separation (and a bonus point at that) segment. I should have an interview with Joseph Jaffe in the coming days as we finish The Road To Digital Marketing Conference 2006 for the CMA - Canadian Marketing Association. Enjoy the conversation...

Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #21 - Host: Mitch Joel.

- Running time: 35:29.
- New audio comment line - please take note: +1 206.666.6056.
- Using new music from the Podsafe Music Network.
- Camp Walk by Derek K. Miller.
- Groove IT by Denis Kitchen.
- Canadian Marketing Association - Digital Marketing Conference.
- October 19th and 20th in Toronto.
- Next up on the Road To Digital Marketing Conference - Joseph Jaffe Interview (sometime in the next two weeks).
- Google Reader.
- PodCamp North.
- Toronto - February 24th -25th, 2007 at Ryerson University.
- Leesa Barnes of Podonomics.
- Jay Moonah of Uncle Seth and Online Music Marketing.
- Brent Morris of The Closet Geek Show.
- Dave of Two Boobs And A Baby.
- Julien Smith of In Over Your Head.
- Michael Seaton - Scotiabank - The Money Clip Podcast.
- InfoPresse Viral Marketing Day.
- Henry Cowling from The Viral Factory.
- What car did Oprah giveaway?
- Which razor company did shaveverywhere.com?
- What product was Burger King promoting with Subservient Chicken?
- What company accepted coupons from a cancelled Starbucks campaign?
- Six Points Of Separation - Six Ways To Use Google News Alerts.
- Song selection of the week (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network) - Brother Love with the song, 'Summertime'.

Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: +1 206.666.6056.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #21 - Host: Mitch Joel.

Welcome to episode #20 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. I am flying solo this week. No interviews. Just me, you and some digital marketing concepts to share... plus an all-new Six Points Of Separation. Enjoy the conversation...

Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #20 - Host: Mitch Joel.

- Running time: 31:10.
- Audio comment line: 206-666-3772.
- Using new music from the Podsafe Music Network.
- Camp Walk by Derek K. Miller.
- Groove IT by Denis Kitchen.
- Comment line: 206-666-3772.
- Portable Media Expo.
- PodCamp Boston.
- InfoPresse - Integrated Marketing Conference.
- Louis Gagnon - Vice President Marketing - Monster.ca.
- Jon Raj - Vice President Advertising and New Media Platforms - VISA.
- Life Takes Visa.
- BIG Sessions - Bay Area Interactive Group.
- Across The Sound - Joseph Jaffe.
- Firestarter Blog Posting on Twist Image Blog.
- Podcasting kerfuffle.
- Adam Curry - Daily Source Code #468.
- Wired Magazine Blog Posting - Apple Hits Podcast Ready With Nastygram.
- MyChingo or MobaTalk.
- Six Points Of Separation - Six Ways To Make LinkedIn Work Better For You (make sure to add me to your network).
- Song selection of the week (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network) - NewLeaf with the song, 'Lovestory'.

Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: 206-666-3772.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #20 - Host: Mitch Joel.

Welcome to episode #19 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. It's been a crazy week. I am still recovering from PodCamp Boston, I had a great time presenting for The Power Within in London, Ontario this week and I am very lucky to have Michael Seaton from Scotiabank and The Client Side as a guest on this week's episode. Enjoy the conversation...

Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #19 - Host: Mitch Joel.

- Running time: 48:19.
- Audio comment line: 206-666-3772.
- Using new music from the Podsafe Music Network.
- Camp Walk by Derek K. Miller.
- Groove IT by Denis Kitchen.
- Comment line: 206-666-3772.
- YULBiz this coming Tuesday, September 26th - 6:00 pm at Café Melies.
- Marketing Magazine - article on Second Life - Get A (Second) Life.
- Twist Image Blog posting - It's Time For Marketers To Burn The Ships.
- Six Points Of Separation - Six Tips For A Great Interview.
- Interview with Michael Seaton.
- Scotiabank.
- The Client Side.
- AIMS - Association of Internet Marketing and Sales.
- CMA - Canadian Marketing Association.
- Canadian Marketing Blog.
- Digital Marketing Conference 2006.
- Song selection of the week (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network) - Munk with the song, 'I Am (Acoustic)'.

Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: 206-666-3772.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #19 - Host: Mitch Joel.

Welcome to episode #18 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. This is my tribute to PodCamp Boston, which took place last weekend. Recording this episode brought back some great memories. This episode has a very cool CarCast plus an interview with John Wall from The M Show along with New Comm Road's Bryan Person. Enjoy the listen...

Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #18 - Host: Mitch Joel.

- Running time: 40:48.
- Audio comment line: 206-666-3772.
- Using new music from the Podsafe Music Network.
- Camp Walk by Derek K. Miller.
- Groove IT by Denis Kitchen.
- Comment line: 206-666-3772.
- PodCamp Boston.
- You And Your Brand - presentation with C.C. Chapman of Managing The Gray and Accident Hash.
- The M Show - John Wall.
- New Comm Road - Bryan Person.
- Podcasters Across Borders.
- Canadian Podcast Buffet.
- Bob Goyetche - Rogic, The Bob And AJ Show, Catfish Show and Mostly Tunes.
- Mark Blevis - Just One More Book and Electric Sky.
- In Over Your Head - Julien Smith.
- Organizers:
- Chris Brogan from Grasshopper New Media.
- Christopher S. Penn of the Financial Aid Podcast.
- Steve Garfield - Vlogger, Rocketboom Boston Correspondent.
- Adam Weiss - Podcaster from the Museum of Science, Boston.
- Bryan Person from the New Comm Road Podcast.
- CarCast with C.C., Bob, Mark and Julien
- Podcast Marketing - 5 Tools To Grow Your Audience with Chris Penn.
- Podcast Formats Panel Discussion: Clinton Alvord, Leesa Barnes, Chris Brogan, Christopher Penn, John Wall, and Adam Weiss; moderator: Bryan Person.
- Uncle Seth.
- Gear Talk with CNET's David Berlind.
- Music Podcasting Panel: C.C. Chapman, Jay Moonah and Eric Skiff.
- John Wall, Bryan Person and me recording before Sunday begins.
- Promoting Your Podcast: Cost-Effective Marketing Strategies for Beginning Podcasters by Jason Van Orden, author of Promoting Your Podcast.
- Designing the Subscriber Experience - Exploring the usability of your podcast, feed, and web site with UIE's Jared Spool.
- Six Points Of Separation - Six Parts Of The Website That Affect Search Engine Optimization - SEO.
- Song selection of the week (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network) - Panic At The Disco with the song, 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies'.

Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: 206-666-3772.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #18 - Host: Mitch Joel.

Welcome to episode #17 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. First off, my apologies for the delay. I was unable to record on the weekend as I was wrapped up in PodCamp Boston. I'll have much more on PodCamp in next week's episode of Six Pixels Of Separation. In this week's episode, we continue on our Road To Digital Marketing Conference 2006 with a special interview - Bryan Eisenberg. Bryan is the Co-Author of two fascinating books, Call To Action and Waiting For Your Cat To Bark, and he is also one of the keynote speakers at this year's Digital Marketing Conference - which is taking place in Toronto on October 19th - 20th and is presented by the CMA - Canadian Marketing Association. On with the show...

Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #17 - Host: Mitch Joel.

- Running time: 53:00.
- Audio comment line: 206-666-3772.
- Using new music from the Podsafe Music Network.
- Camp Walk by Derek K. Miller.
- Groove IT by Denis Kitchen.
- Comment line: 206-666-3772.
- PodCamp Boston 2006.
- Six Points Of Separation - Six Components To Consider Before Starting A Podcast.
- The Road To Digital Marketing Conference 2006.
- Presented by the CMA - Canadian Marketing Association.
- October 19th - 20th - Toronto Ontario.
- The Bryan Eisenberg Interview.
- Future Now Inc.
- Call To Action.
- Waiting For Your Cat To Bark.
- Song selection of the week (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network) - Uncle Seth with the song, 'Cloud Song'.

Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: 206-666-3772.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #17 - Host: Mitch Joel.